RSPCA inspectors are appealing for help to solve the mystery behind the death of a Jack Russell dog found in a garden shed.

Efforts to trace its owner have failed, despite an address written on a tag around his neck.

Inspector Gavin Butterfield discovered the body of the dog, which had starved to death, in a shed in the back yard of a house in Victoria Street, Shildon.

The house had been empty for sometime and it was an estate agent who alerted the RSPCA to the dead animal.

Inspector Butterfield said: "It is a real mystery. I have spoken to neighbours who assure me that the people who lived in the house never had a dog.

"The strange thing is that the dog had a name tag around its neck with an address in Coronation Avenue, Shildon.

But the people who live there have been there for over a year and they have never had a Jack Russell."

Checks have been made on the previous occupiers of the address who lived their for 15 years. They were also baffled as to where the dog had come from.

The black and white male dog was aged between seven and eight. It was wearing a brown leather collar.

RSPCA officials believe that the dog might have been locked in the yard accidentally and then managed to find shelter in the shed after discovering a hole in it.

Anyone who can help to solve the mystery is asked to contact the RSPCA on 08705 555999.